Brendan The Navigator, N19

Official site of Brendan The Navigator - brendanthenavigator.co.uk

Official site of Brendan The Navigator - brendanthenavigator.co.uk

Facebook page of Brendan The Navigator - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of Brendan The Navigator - www.facebook.com

I spotted a couple of handpumps tucked away on the right of the the counter, one having a Bombardier clip (but not on apparently), and the other a Doom Bar clip (£2 a half). It's possible that the previous reviewer didn't spot the pumps as they are pretty much hidden behind a nut dispenser of some kind. But in all truth he didn't miss much! I was in too early to see a menu, but a chalkboard at the the back advertised pub grub like fish & chips, and steak & chips. There's an open to view kitchen at the back by said chalkboard. This is a magnificent old pub standing proud halfway up Highgate Hill. Inside it plays heavily on its somewhat tenuous connection with Karl Marx, with the father of communism buried over the road in Highgate Cemetery. There's a "Marx Grill Bar", which appears to be a small dining area up a couple of steps on the right. There are pictures of him all over the place, as well as a saying attributed to him - "sell a man a fish he eats for a day. Teach a man how to fish you ruin a wonderful business opportunity". A clearly ironic misquote! There's also a keg font apparently dispensing the Old Crown house beer - called "Karl Marx" - what else? There's now a central peninsular bar (which would once have served several separate rooms) with a low stillion in the centre of it cluttered with dozens of spirit bottles. A speaker array next to the corner doors suggests live "entertainment" of some kind, and a piano the other side of the door suggests live entertainment of times past. Seating seems to be of the hard wooden variety, with some old settles and well used normal tables and chairs. There's also a bit of outside seating. There's little of heritage interest remaining apart from a bit of cornicing. But it's an OK pub nonetheless. There was a large vase of lilies as well as bowls of oranges/lemons/lime on the bar counter, suggesting a "gastro" theme. But this is anything but a gastropub. A decent ale would be a big plus.